‘Madison’s Place’ vows to put smiles on many faces

Woodbury resident Dana Millington wants her children to remember their sister, Madison Claire, in a happy sense. To be able to smile when they hear her name.

Though still grieving after losing their baby girl at age of 2 from complications of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), the Millingtons knew they wanted to do something to help children with disabilities.

They wanted to bring “Madison’s Place” to the east metro.

The all-inclusive playground will be designed with a special, wheelchair-accessible, rubber surface for children with physical hardships who cannot otherwise enjoy summers at the park. Plans call for the playground to be built at Bielenberg Sports Center.

Fundraising for the project began in 2008 and since then, the Madison Claire Foundation raised $60,000. A September gala is aiming to collect another $100,000.

“I hope it’ll be full of smiles and busy,” Millington said of the playground.